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UncategorizedAn Eloquent Rap That Explains Why Downloadable Content Sucks
We’re no stranger to Dan Bull’s rapping skills. He’s covered some of the most popular games with his clever lyrics, but he now turns to a popular issue amongst the gaming community. Downloadable content has been met with a lot of hostility in the past. But no one has summed up the situation so elegantly…
By Tina Amini Published March 30, 2012 -
UncategorizedThe Battle of the Portal-Singing Lasers is Joined By Two Amazing Versions of “Want You Gone”
Last week I posted Chris DePrisco’s fiber laser rendition of Jonathan Coulton’s “Still Alive”, the ending theme from Portal, with an implied suggestion that Portal 2‘s “Want You Gone” receive similar treatment. Well it did. Twice. From two completely different types of lasers. Late last night one David Grossman shared with me a different sort…
By Mike Fahey Published March 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
Friday Watch This, Play This
Watch! A battle of lasers singing to Portal music. Watch! Pokémon explained in one sarcastic, animated minute. Play! Kate plays Crytek’s new mobile game, Fibble. Watch! Dan Bull takes the DLC hate to a rapping platform.
By Tina Amini Published March 30, 2012 -
UncategorizedThe Best Summary of Pokémon I’ve Ever Seen
A decade and a half after Pokémon first launched, we finally see the one-minute summary that this series deserves. Bravo, The Game Station. Next time I play Pokémon, I’m totally naming the rival Asshat. Pokémon Lore in a Minute [YouTube]
By Jason Schreier Published March 30, 2012 -
UncategorizedThe Hunger Games Facebook Game Finally Steps Into the Arena
The Hunger Games came out in theaters one week ago, setting new box-office records and drawing millions of eager fans. The film had two tie-in games announced, one on iOS and one on Facebook. The Facebook game didn’t materialize on March 23 as expected, instead launching as a closed beta. With no public word from…
By Kate Cox Published March 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
Talk Amongst Yourselves
All aboard the Friday train. Next stop, the weekend! Welcome, wanderers, to Kotaku’s official forum, known affectionately as Talk Amongst Yourselves. This is the place where we gather on a daily basis to discuss all things video game and existential. Want to talk about new games, old games, game where you solve mysteries? Knock yourselves…
By Evan Narcisse Published March 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
Three Killer Problems That Threaten Windows 8
Brad Wardell, president and CEO of software company Stardock, recently said that the upcoming Windows 8 operating system is so severely flawed that it will hurt the PC experience and, therefore, PC gaming. How bad does he think Windows 8 is? Since he’s using the preview version and runs a successful PC software company that…
Brad Wardell, CEO of Stardock Published March 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
Tales of Graces F Brings Out the Responsible Parent In Me
I knew becoming the father of twin boys would impact the amount of time I had to play video games. I didn’t realize it would also affect the way I perceive them. As I played through the early hours of Namco Bandai’s Tales of Graces F I came to a startling realization: I’m not merely…
By Mike Fahey Published March 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
How the Human-Hunting Robots in This TweedPunk Shooter Will Find and Kill You
Everybody complains about artificial intelligence. It’s too dumb. It’s too all-knowing. What it really is is too opaque. AI design remains one of the most mysterious disciplines of video game creation. Well, if you’ve ever wondered about how the rules governing the allies and opponents in a video game, then a blog post regarding Sir,…
By Evan Narcisse Published March 30, 2012 -
UncategorizedMy Favorite Aspect of Mass Effect 3 is the Hideous Plastic Party People
There is such a thing as too much pretty. One can only stare into the face of Commander Shepard and friends so long before becoming overwhelmed. Perhaps that’s why BioWare left us this tiny slice of ugly—to keep us grounded. I love the little shortcuts that go into developing a game on the scale of…
By Mike Fahey Published March 30, 2012 - Kotaku East
The Cutest Little Final Fantasy Characters
The characters of Theatrhythm Final Fantasy—both ally and enemy—come from across all thirteen Final Fantasies. Yet instead of mixing and matching art styles, Square Enix Japanese graphic designer Monster Octopus to re-create all these Final Fantasy characters in their own cute, doll-like style. This is far from the only time Monster Octopus’ art style has…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published March 30, 2012 -
Kotaku EastCheck Out Dust, a Stunning Flick from a Special Effects House
Dust is from the folks at Ember Lab, who worked on the very cool student film Turbo. The trailer looks quite nice, and the filmmakers are looking for some extra scratch to help finish their project. Dust [Official Site]
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 30, 2012 - Kotaku East
The Game Square Enix Was Counting Down To Is…
Crystal Conquest! Just as was foreshadowed. And it’s a browser game. It’s a large scale action battle game—-up to 20 players can face off against 20 other players. Social games are big money makers for Square Enix of late, so don’t expect this to be a one-off thing. Crystal Conquest [Official Site]
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 30, 2012 - Kotaku East
Teenage Girl Beaten to Death for Not Practicing a Video Game
This week in Osaka, 23 year-old Eriko Tashiro and her boyfriend Daigorou Umezaki, 31, were sentenced to prison for 13 and 14 years respectively. In Sept. 2010, both savagely beat Eriko’s younger sister, Yuriko, to death. The two regularly bullied and abused Yuriko. Both Eriko and her boyfriend were on welfare; but, teenage Yuriko had…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 30, 2012 - Kotaku East
The Cherry Blossoms Are Coming!
Soon where I live in Osaka, Japan will be bathed in cherry blossoms. The plum blossoms are blooming, but the cherry blossoms haven’t quite started yet. The cherry blossoms bloom at differnet times in different parts of the country. I was talking to a fellow ex-pat the other day who said this is his favorite…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 30, 2012 - Kotaku East
Is Theatrhythm a Miserable Medley or a Musical Masterpiece?
The Final Fantasy series as a whole has the best original soundtrack in gaming. While many series have a standout song or two, Final Fantasy has thirteen games—and many spin-off titles—brimming with instantly recognizable tunes. Whether written by Nobuo Uematsu, Masashi Hamauzu, or other composers, these memorable scores have captured the souls of gamers for…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published March 30, 2012 - Uncategorized
Namco Bandai Is Ripping Off a Japanese Clothing Store?
Namco Bandai’s idol simulator The Idolmaster seems to be getting more than inspiration from an online retailer. The “rare” Idolmaster card for character Megumi Ijuin looks exactly like a photo spotted on Japanese internet retail site Sunflower. Just look at the above comparison. The card is featured in the new social Idolmaster game called Cinderella…
By Brian Ashcraft Published March 30, 2012